Carter, 6 feet 7, will fax in the paperwork Wednesday, the
official start of the regular signing period for basketball.

He averaged 7.6 points but added 12.5 rebounds, 5.3
blocks and 1.2 steals per game and was named the District 8-5A MVP in leading
East St. John to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. He chose Southern over Tulane and UNO.

"I just felt more comfortable with Southern," Carter said.
"At first I thought it wouldn't matter if I left the state or not, but now it
does. I want to stay close to my family.

"I just think Southern was overall a
better fit for me."

East St. John had to bounce back from the lingering effects of Hurricane Isaac this season and was forced to move its campus to Leon Godchaux Junior High. Carter said the team still was rebounding even three months after the August storm.

"When we came back from Isaac, we really weren't together," Carter said. "We had to get our players back together and start bonding and start playing again. It was just a lot of things going on. You had people not in their houses. You had family members passing and things like that.

"As the season went along, you always want to get better and that's what we did. We came together as a team and played with heart. That helped us win some big games."

Carter also said Southern's appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season as a No. 16 seed when the Jaguars lost to No. 1-seeded Gonzaga 64-58 played a role
in his decision.

Southern is losing four seniors, including centers Brandon Moore, a former Holy Cross player who started against
Gonzaga, and Madut Bol.

With only three post players returning, Carter feels good
about his chances to get early playing time.

"We talked about possibly playing next year if I keep
working hard," Carter said, "so that's what I plan on doing."

TWO LADY
WILDCATS SIGN: East St. John's girls basketball team had two players sign Tuesday with both opting to stay local as well.

Bri'Shane Haynes and Nya Duhe, who were all-district
selections last season, signed with Delgado. Haynes also was named the
District 8-5A Defensive Player of the Year.